Elder Lin, after hearing Lin Zhiping's words and the agreement from the people around him, felt... as if there was some logic to it.
His grandson was so handsome and carried himself with such poise that it was entirely normal for the head of Jinyu Group's Jinling Branch to take an interest in him.
And if President Lin hadn't taken a liking to Zhiping, how could she have started her conversation with Qingxue, that girl, by apologizing?
Upon reflecting for a moment, Elder Lin glanced at the pale-faced Lin Qingxue, who was tightly pursing her lips next to him, and hesitantly spoke, "Then it looks like..."
Lin Qingxue knew what her grandfather wanted to say; she guessed that he, with his preference for boys over girls, was considering going back on his word, nullifying his promise made today and no longer honoring it...
And she would also lose any eligibility to control the Lin Group.
Not being able to control the Lin Group didn't bother Lin Qingxue much, but now, with a debt owed to Mu Jinyu, she had to seize this opportunity with the Lin Group to potentially earn over five hundred million within a few years to repay Mu Jinyu.
Therefore, Lin Qingxue had to fight for it!
Lin Qingxue promptly interjected before her grandfather could finish, "Grandfather, while that may be the case, who knows if it's true or false? Regardless, the collaboration with Jinyu Group was negotiated by me. Don't tell me you're planning to go back on your word?"
With that statement, she forced the announcement Elder Lin had yet to voice back down his throat, unable to express it directly.
His face turned somewhat unsightly.
Because the usually obedient Lin Qingxue dared to interrupt his words and even challenged him, it was a bit too much for Elder Lin, who always had the final say in the Lin Family and whom no one dared to contradict.
And when Lin Zhiping saw Lin Qingxue dare to talk back, he also chimed in, "Who says it's impossible? With my distinguished appearance, is it not normal for President Lin to take a fancy to me?"
As he spoke, he turned to look at the people around him and asked in a stern voice, "If you have a flaw in your aesthetic judgment and think I'm not handsome enough, then ask the brothers and sisters present, am I not handsome enough?"
After Lin Zhiping made his comment, a group of people also echoed in agreement, nodding their heads, saying, "Our cousin is the most handsome, it's totally normal for him to have President Lin of Jinyu Group utterly infatuated."
Lin Qingxue was left speechless by their shamelessness.
Truth be told, she was aware that Lin Zhiping indeed looked quite good, but to say that he had Lin Qiaoxia utterly infatuated...
Lin Qingxue thought the likelihood was really small.
But still, there might be a slim possibility, right?
After all, the branch manager of such a big corporation held a high and mighty position, even if Lin Qiaoxia left them hanging for a day, what need was there for apologies? Yet, curiously enough, the first thing Lin Qiaoxia said when she met her was an apology, and that was truly hard to explain away.
Unless Lin Qiaoxia was just exceedingly courteous and modest.
But that possibility, just like the one of Lin Qiaoxia taking a fancy to Lin Zhiping, was also slim.
Seeing that Lin Qingxue had nothing to say, Lin Zhiping felt smug and sighed, "If I had known that President Lin was so deeply attached to me, always keeping me in her thoughts, I wouldn't have shirked today's task for a little face, letting her continue to pine alone..."
With that, the image of Lin Qiaoxia's beautiful face appeared in Lin Zhiping's mind, and he couldn't help but start daydreaming.
Lin Qiaoxia's figure and face were both exceptional, and he thought she was a suitable match for himself.
And her position was that of the general manager of Jinyu Group's Jinling Branch, although not quite on par with the ladies from the noble families of Jinling's Su Family, Ning Family, or Lv Family, but she still matched him fairly well.
Lin Zhiping thought that if he could secure Lin Qiaoxia for himself, he would be able to enjoy both wealth and beauty, living a life of utter comfort.
The current obstacle, however, was Lin Qingxue, this foolish girl who knew nothing of propriety.
Lin Zhiping shook his head slightly, giving Lin Qingxue a cold glance and said, "So, grandfather, perhaps I should be the one to continue the contact with President Lin of Jinyu Group. If I can secure that, our Lin Family might have hope of developing into a powerful household like the Ning or Su Families..."
Turning the Lin Family into a household like the Su or Ning Families had always been Elder Lin's dream and his vulnerability. Hearing Lin Zhiping's words, Elder Lin immediately widened his eyes.
Seeing this, Lin Zhiping felt pleased and continued to prod, "Grandfather, Qingxue is just a woman after all, sooner or later she will marry and leave. Entrusting her with control of Lin Group could be risky. If she is bewitched and utterly infatuated by someone else and impulsively offers the entire Group as a dowry, wouldn't your hard-built empire become someone else's wedding dress?"
"We can't gamble like this. You're not being inconsistent by not entrusting her with the chairmanship of Lin Group; you're considering the bigger picture!"
Elder Lin's eyes flickered with indecision as he listened to Lin Zhiping's argument.
If it had been just moments before, he would have thought Lin Qingxue incapable of such actions.
But recalling how Lin Qingxue had just talked back to him and pressured him...
He hesitated again.
Girls tend to believe in such nonsense as love. If they are charmed by the sweet nothings of a man, acting on such belief is not impossible.
Wasn't President Lin of Jinyu Group in Jinling also charmed by his grandson, refusing to cooperate with other large families and choosing their Lin Family instead?
Yes, this was an opportunity, a perfect chance for their Lin Family to rise to the ranks of noble families like the Su and Ning Families.
The future of the Lin Family could not be left to chance; Qingxue would have to be put aside, letting Lin Zhiping take the position of chairman of Lin Group to initiate contact with Jinyu Group's management!
The overall situation must take priority!
Thinking this way, Elder Lin finally spoke up, instructing gently, "Zhiping, do not doubt your cousin so readily. It's not likely she will do something that goes against Lin Family's interests... she isn't foolish enough to do that."
Speaking further, he changed his tone and smiled, "However, your points do have merit. Despite President Lin's high status, the fact that she favors you is not impossible, so let's have you continue the contact with President Lin. After all, the contract is already signed, and changing the person in charge is not a big deal. If you make the right bet, then our Lin Family could seize this moment to rise to greatness!"
After finishing his cheerful remarks, Elder Lin turned to look at the expressionless Lin Qingxue and soothed her gently, "Qingxue, don't worry, grandfather won't go back on his word. The achievement of signing the cooperation with Jinyu Group today will not be forgotten by me, and I won't treat you unfairly in the future. Lin Family's wealth will definitely include your share."
Lin Zhiping, seeing his grandfather finally swayed by his coaxing, looked on with a sneer curling at the corner of his mouth.
If Lin Qingxue wanted to compete, then he would make sure she had no chance at all!
"Thank you, grandfather."
Lin Qingxue knew that given her grandfather's preference for males over females, swayed by Lin Zhiping's words like this, no matter what she said, the old man would not entrust Lin Group to her again.
Too disheartened to argue anymore, she gave a low word of thanks.
As she pondered her inability to use Lin Group to earn money to repay Mu Jinyu's debt, Lin Qingxue's eyes dimmed with disappointment, and her heart was filled with despair for the Lin Family.